A town centre housing scheme hit by delays over the historic nature of its surrounding area is due to be completed later this year. 

The new housing development on Skinnergate in Darlington is due to bring six three-bed houses, flats and ground-floor retail units to the popular street which is populated by cafes, restaurants and shops. 

Plans for the scheme were approved in August 2021 and involved knocking down the premises from 13-18 Skinnergate and 2 Raby Terrace, while also renovating 12 Skinnergate - a building previously damaged by fire. 

But the proposal faced opposition from residents, councillors and public bodies at the time, who all expressed concerns about the demolition of 2 Raby Terrace, which Historic England said would be a loss to the significance of the conservation area. The Council for British Archaeology also objected to the demolition of the building, as it said there was "insufficient justification".

The Northern Echo: 2 Raby Terrace in Darlington 2 Raby Terrace in Darlington (Image: The Northern Echo)

In 2021, Labour councillor Nick Wallis said the demolition of the former Quaker British and Foreign School represented “another blow to Darlington’s shrinking heritage” and voted against the scheme.

The council responded by saying the development is part of its town centre regeneration plans, and fits with its desire to increase housing, and footfall, in the town centre.

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Yet, although the work on the £4.95million scheme was due to be completed in March 2022, officials are now looking at a completion date of October 2023. 

The Northern Echo: A map of how the new housing development could look A map of how the new housing development could look (Image: The Northern Echo)

A council report states: “A delay was encountered following the production of a revised design to satisfy concerns raised by English Heritage at the planning application stage. It has also been impacted by the Nutrient Neutrality issue which will have an impact on the start on site date.

“The design team is working on the Stage four design and reviewing the programme to see if there is an opportunity to save time. The team are also working through issues with Nutrient Neutrality.”